Breathing Valley - A Landscape Approach to connect Citizen's health with their city's health

University of Moratuwa (UoM), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Moratuwa

Project idea

As the earth contains several landforms , this effects may reach at different levels towards the unique topographies. Sri Lanka too contain a diverse range of topographies where this project is mainly based on Valley Basins.
As the Health of cities and Health of the citizens are intertwined, the implementation of a green corridor will be utilized in the project “B r e a t h i n g V a l l e y ” to intervene in the landscape and restore the
microclimate of the city so that users can benefit from a walkable urban core under the design approach of establishing a “Urban forest within the city core”.
The project timeline will reach for 15 years, where the main design is focused on an intermediate stage of the year 3 . Finally, the project will address two main Sustainable goals “Goal 11-Sustainble Cities and Communities” and “Goal 13 - Climate Change.

Project description

In the Natural Valley, breathing was more than just inhaling and exhaling. It was a way of life. But, due to the Sick Urban Valley's high heating and air quality problems, the threat to human life is rapidly approaching. In light of this, the project will address the global topic of Climate change, In relation to the unique topographical configuration of a valley basin's microclimate enabling the valley basin city of Badulla to produce a breathable environment for the present and future generations.

The conceptual approach is intensive green lung -optimizing a connected
system of green spaces toreplenish breathable surroundings to move throughthe city, while limiting risk factors. the landscape interventions include Orient River corridors, Streets, and open spaces to funnel Valley Breeze towards connecting an urban forest within city.

Projects ecological approach highlights to Create new habitats where people can have comfortable experiences, drawing them to the locations that lessen risk exposures and distributing the centralized circulations through a cozy web of habitats.

Experience the Zoning design, where spaces come alive to breathe life into the urban core. Embracing the sweeping mountain air, the Wind Generating Forest directs nature's breath as the site's primary source. The Connecting Forest harmoniously unites the city and natural forest with air-purifying plants, while the Stepping Forest intertwines pockets of nature, serving as a haven for essential utility stations.

" The Aerating Forest Cluster "

Features an undisturbed dense tree plantation integrated with the Mediriya Reserve. Adjacent to the river corridor, it generates cooler air and directs it towards the city core area. Three wind ducts within the zone efficiently ventilate through narrow openings created by vegetation, creating wind paths to the core area.

"The Sunken Canopy Walk & Oxygen Valley "

located at a lower elevation than the main human functioning area serve as a pathway for cooler air to be delivered to the road level at a higher gradient through vegetation and water corridor. the layered vegetation extends from the slope to the road and serves as a layer that promotes natural airflow to the pedestrian level. Further, the space creates a comfortable and refreshing user-connecting zone that integrates several routes into a single path. The use of branched trees allows sunlight to filter and create an enclosed space for sunbathing in the forest pavilion. Small water features and green vegetated mounds are arranged in a systematic way to emulate a natural forest setting.
The oxygen valley comprised of Badulu Oya is a main cool air source. So, the space is created to ensure the cool air flow is connected to the main area. walk through the forest trunks serves as a transitional space connecting wetland, river, and forest. The spacing between the trunks allows air to move through the area with less obstruction, which can promote airflow and ventilation.

"Canopy shelter"

An intentionally designed space to take advantage of the
natural flow for the comfort of stationary users with its orientation. the spatial quality created by incorporating distant mountain views offers a wide sense of place, encouraging users to pause and observe their surroundings.

"The Serene Square"

originated with the hospital surrounding offering a break from sterile and clinical settings by providing much-needed respite for patients,
visitors, and medical staff with a cozy healing atmosphere. Nested at the
bottom of majestic mountain ranges the planter seatings amidst the layered vegetation is a tranquil oasis to relax in a comfortable posture shaded and shielded from emissions. the implementation of long angled planting beds maximizes additional tree planting areas where the tiered vegetation not only increases permeability but also cools the space. so, a dynamic and everchanging forested walkway is created within a once homogenous edge offering refreshing experiences to healthcare employees, patients, and visitors who use the path every day.

"Encountering Plaza"

The raised tensile roof seamlessly blends with pollutant-absorbing shrubs and serves as a welcoming and engaging encounter plaza enhancing the historical quality of the space. the addition of water fountains not only adds a calmingand serene ambiance but also serves as an evaporative cooling area mimicking the cascading and refreshing qualities of natural waterfalls. This perfect combination of history, vegetation, and water elements creates a vibrant and welcoming space rich in history and natural beauty.

"Connective Service Route"
As viewed through the plaza, the connective service route entrance is
beautifully enhanced with the wilderness of shrubs that ensure wide and
unobstructed scenic views serving as natural wind duct with the vertical habitof mana shrubs create a harmonious and welcoming entry point inviting userswith comfort and style

Technical information

Passive Cooling Strategies - Focuses on delivering thermal comfort by limiting heat absorption and heat dissipation using primarily natural and
environmental components such as the sun, wind, earth, and water.

Landscape Connectivity - The degree to which the landscape facilitates or impedes movement among resource patches

Modern Ventilation corridor Planning Considerations - Functioning area and compensating area linked together to cool fresh air to move easily within the city centre means to build a link between densely builtup areas and cool fresh air source areas.Selection of a high ventillation section of river corridor based on the wind direction and river flow so that wind corridor passes through more effective area of the water body.

The planting of the design focused on the concept of the forest blanket where A blanket of forest patches representing the wilderness of the natural valley in Badulla lowers risk effects and provides fresh clean air to breathe through shielding mechanisms.

01. To deflect the wind flow in order to facilitate the pedestrian level.
02. Vegetation as shelters to maintain a safer human breathing zone.
here the human posture difference mainly walking and seating is considered.
03.To integrate vegetation as an aerating source for pedestrians .next to 04. Vegetation to create wind ducts at narrower spaces to transfer cool/fresh air into the main user areas and finally to provide shade and cooling effects.